Register Now for the Secretary's Legal Assistance Program

Register to volunteer by September 30Election Day requires a massive team of dedicated people, especially so in a presidential year, to ensure our citizens are able to exercise their right to vote. Four years ago, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Secretary of the State formed a joint program called the "Secretary's Legal Assistance Project." The program trains volunteer attorneys to assist the Secretary of the State and be on call to respond to problems on Election Day.

Problems at polling places on Election Day can be quite serious. The role of the volunteer attorney is to serve as a neutral source of information. Since this program began, these volunteer attorneys have made a critical difference in being able to sort out the facts of a situation, report back to the Secretary, and then communicate her directives.

Since volunteer attorneys will serve as an agent of the Secretary of the State, they must do so in a neutral, non-partisan capacity. There is likely no need to take the day off from work. Instead, the volunteer attorney will be asked to undergo a webinar training, provide contact information, and be available on Election Day. The Secretary of the State will contact the volunteer attorney as needed to respond to a problem in the attorney's area.

If you are actively involved in a political campaign, or if you or a family member are a candidate whose name appears on the ballot, you are prohibited from participating in the program.

Comments...

I tried to register for the Secretary of the State Legal Assistance/Election program at about 4:40pm and it froze me out (the site appears to have closed prior to 5PM). Please advise on how to register despite same. Atty. Bob Yamin (203) 744-7090